ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher will convene a roundtable next Wednesday to try to find a solution to illegal dumping at charity bins, and has invited representatives of the charity sector who are being burdened with having to take rubbish to landfill.

"Charity bins are a convenient way for people to donate clothing, footwear and blankets to people in need. Unfortunately there seems to be an increasing trend where people are dumping inappropriate items which cannot be reused outside bins," the Chief Minister said.

"Illegal dumping at charity bins creates an eyesore for the local community and nearby retailers but also creates a large burden on the resources of charity organisations that are responsible for taking away illegally dumped items," the Chief Minister said.

The proposed meeting will include the seven current permit holders for charity bins, as well as government stakeholders.

There are currently 239 charity bins located across the ACT and permits for these are issued under the Roads and Public Places Act 1937 for a maximum period of 12 months. A condition of all permits is to keep sites clean.

Many potentially reusable larger items left outside charity bins can be taken to alternative outlets such as local Resource Management Centres, charity shops and second-hand dealers. Televisions in particular have been a recent issue due in part to the impending switchover to digital TV.

"Televisions can be delivered to the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres and are recycled on a fee-for-service basis which covers the recycling cost. Recycling fees for televisions are based on the size of the unit measured diagonally across the screen. For example, a small non flat panel television less than 46 centimetres is $15," the Chief Minister said.

"The ACT Government is part of the new national e-waste recycling scheme which at this stage is due to commence midyear. Under that scheme televisions and computers will be accepted free of charge, but the cost of disposal will be built into the price of products.

"I look forward to meeting with the sector and hopefully work out some practical measures to deal with the issue of illegal dumping at charity bins," the Chief Minister concluded.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is reminding people to nominate for the Canberra Citizen of the Year and the Canberra Gold Awards, which will be presented in March 2012 to coincide with our city's 99th Birthday celebrations.

"I'd like to encourage Canberrans to nominate individuals or groups for the 2012 Citizen of the Year award. Nominees can come from any field, including the arts, education, community work or business for example," the Chief Minister said.

"The 2011 recipient Ms Maureen Cane was recognised for her contribution to the community through her role as Chief Executive Officer of Communities@Work from 2001 to 2011.

"The Canberra Gold Chief Minister's Awards are open to individuals or groups who have resided or operated in the ACT for 50 years or more, as at 12 March each year.

"The awards recognise the unique contribution made by those who have chosen to make a long-term commitment to the ACT," the Chief Minister said.

A total of 2538 individuals and 44 groups have now received a Gold award since its inception in 2005.
The Chief Minister would also like to wish the ACT finalists for the Australian of the Year awards the best of luck when they are presented on January the 25th.

ACT Finalists include: Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, as the ACT Australian of the year; Ms Betty Churcher, ACT Senior Australian of the Year; Dr Sam Prince, ACT Young Australian of the Year; and Ms Julie Tongs, ACT Local Hero.

Nominations for Canberra Citizen of the Year and the Canberra Gold Chief Ministers awards can be made online at www.cmd.act.gov.au/communication or by calling 6205 3031.

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, today encouraged families to discover Canberra's top five swimming spots to cool off during the long, hot days of summer.

"Despite being located a couple of hours from the ocean, we have many beautiful swimming spots. The Murrumbidgee River Corridor possesses a number of hidden treasures including UriarraCrossing, Casuarina Sands, Kambah Pool, Pine Island and Cotter Bend," the Chief Minister said.

Renovated in 2010, Casuarina Sands is a great place to relax and have a picnic, with barbecue facilities, shelter, drinking water, picnic tables and toilets. After a swim in the river, take a stroll upstream to the historic pumping station.

A long-time family favourite, Pine Island, is the main recreation area along the Murrumbidgee River in south Canberra, conveniently located adjacent to Tuggeranong. The island features three separate barbeque areas with picnic tables and toilets, a playground, and a series of swimming holes and beaches to enjoy.

Kambah Pool is a popular swimming spot with picnic tables, toilets and walking trails. Take a swim and then enjoy a hike along the Murrumbidgee River to Casuarina Sands or Pine Island.

Tucked within a bend where Cotter River meets Paddys River, is Cotter Bend. Enjoy a picnic on the grass, read a book under a large shady tree or enjoy a swim along the meandering river. Cotter Bend has barbecue facilities, picnic tables, drinking water, toilets and is wheelchair accessible.

Looking for a swimming spot you can enjoy with your dog? Take your dog for a swim and a play at UriarraCrossing, which has both on-lead and off-lead exercise areas. Uriarra is a great place to have a picnic with tables, shelter, toilets and barbecue facilities available.

"With the weather heating up, it is also a timely reminder about the importance of water safety," the Chief Minister said.

Tips to ensure they enjoy a safe and refreshing dip each and every time:
• do not enter the water if signage indicates the conditions are unsafe;
• watch the flow - flowing water is stronger than you think;
• never drink and swim;
• never let children out of your sight and avoid swimming alone;
• never dive into water if you are unsure of the depth; and
• keep an eye out for submerged logs, other hazards and wildlife

More information about the Murrumbidgee River Corridor is available at http://www.tams.act.gov.auf/.

Media Contact:

Scott Howard (02)62058144 0478474071 scott.howard@act.gov.au

Consultation is underway on the direction of youth justice in the ACT over the next decade, ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch said today.

Ms Burch said the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT was an important piece of work that will set the strategic agenda for the youth justice system over the next five to 10 years.

“It will define how we assist vulnerable young people who have some of the most complex needs of any Canberrans and it is important to have community input into what is a shared community responsibility,” Ms Burch said.

“We want people to tell us how we can improve the lives of young people either at risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system or who are already involved in the justice system, and also their families.”

The Blueprint is being developed by the Youth Justice Implementation Taskforce, which comprises representatives of the government and community sectors. The Blueprint is part of the Government’s response to Human Rights Commission’s report into the youth justice system.

The Taskforce is particularly seeking feedback on key components of the Blueprint, including the overarching vision, guiding principles, outcomes, strategies and actions to achieve and the things that we want to see changed for children and young people and their families.

Members of the public will be able to take part in community forums hosted by the Taskforce that will take place throughout Canberra in early 2012 or send in comments directly to the Taskforce. Community agencies will also host targeted consultation activities and events over the coming months.

Information on the Blueprint consultation can be found online at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/youth_justice_implementation_taskforce, or www.communityengagement.act.gov.au or www.timetotalk.act.gov.au.

The consultation period will be open from December 2011 until 30 March 2012.

The Canberra community and business sector are being invited to have their say on the ACT Government’s role in continuing to build a more robust economy by commenting on the Government’s new Business Development Strategy.

Earlier this year the Chief Minister announced the ACT Labor Government’s priorities for the next 12 months. As part of this announcement, the Government reconfirmed a commitment to develop a separate business and industry strategy.

Today’s release of the Business Development: Invitation to Comment is the next step in this process and will be followed up with an industry round table forum early next year.

The ACT Labor Government recognises the vital role of small business in our economy. We are committed to strong fiscal management and ensuring a business friendly environment through strong policy settings and effective regulation.

Our economic base is in high value added services and research and knowledge industries that also provide us with a highly skilled workforce and highly regarded institutions. These are foundations to build on and leverage and we will continue to do those things that are working well including:
• Focusing on innovation strategy,
• supporting a commercialisation pathway,
• supporting ACT firms to export, and
• continuing to invest in the liveability of Canberra to create an attractive, vibrant and well functioning city that draws talent and new investment.

The Business Development Strategy will provide a link between the Government’s high-level ACT strategic plans and indicators and the delivery of business programs.

The paper released today identifies some key issues for consideration. I invite the community and business sector to have their say on these issues and raise other ideas and views that they see as relevant to the ACT Government’s role in building a robust local economy.

The Paper is available online www.business.act.gov.au/consultation or by calling the Business Hotline on 1800 244 650. Comments are welcome in any form and close on 14 February 2012.

I look forward to hearing from the community about the ways government and industry can work together to achieve the goal of a more diverse Canberra economy.

Nominations are now open for the 2012 ACT International Women’s Day Awards, Minister for Women Joy Burch said.

Ms Burch said the awards were an opportunity to honour the considerable contributions of inspiring and successful women in our community.

“I urge all Canberrans to consider the wonderful contributions and achievements of the women they know and to take the first step to having them recognised by nominating them for an International Women’s Day Award,” Ms Burch said.

The theme for the 2012 International Women’s Day Awards is ‘respect and recognition’.

Nominations are open for individual women or groups that have made significant contributions to gender equality in our community.

International Women Day was first celebrated in 1911 when more than a million European women and men rallied for the right of women to vote, work and hold public office.

“The past century has seen International Women’s Day draw women together in unity and friendship to celebrate achievements and highlight current social, economic and political issues.

“Women make significant and often extraordinary contributions to our community in a variety of ways.

“However, more men than women receive formal recognition for their contributions and efforts. This is because often, far fewer women are nominated for awards and honours than men.”

Nomination forms are available online at www.women.act.gov.au or by contacting the ACT Office for Women on 6205 0515. Nominations close at 5pm Friday 20 January 2012.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has tonight opened the National Gallery of Australia's Renaissance exhibition featuring the works of an array of artistic giants including Botticelli and Raphael.

The Renaissance exhibition represents the first time that works from the legendary Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, Italy, have ever been loaned outside of Europe. The exhibition is being staged with the assistance of $500,000 from the ACT Government's Special Event Fund.

"It is a privilege to have some 70 Renaissance masterpieces on display in Canberra," the Chief Minister said. "This is an extremely rare chance for all Australians to see artworks that have shaped history."

The exhibition, which will not travel outside Canberra, features early and late Renaissance paintings from the period 1400-1600. Artists featured include Raphael, Botticelli, Bellini and Titian.

"While these towering figures are well known, some of the other artists may not be so familiar," the Chief Minister said. "These include Tura, Crivelli, Lotto, Carpaccio, Perugino and Moroni."

The Renaissance exhibition is expected to attract up to 200,000 visitors, with the National Gallery anticipating that 75 per cent of visitors will be from interstate.

"This is a great boost for the ACT. Not only is it a rare opportunity to see these exceptional painters, but the exhibition is also expected to provide a multi-million dollar boost to the ACT economy during its five-month stay, which ends on 9 April 2012," the Chief Minister said.

"The ACT Government's financial assistance - the first from the Special Event Fund - will be used to provide marketing support, aiming to increase visitors to the ACT and enhance the overall tourism experience in the region," she said.

The National Gallery of Australia will stage a range of public programs, lectures and educational events and will include late night opportunities to view the exhibition. For more information visit http://www.nga.gov.au/

Tickets and ticket packages are available from http://www.ticketek.com.au/ or from the front desk of the National Gallery of Australia.